Today
Today
Woman sitting cross-legged with computer on lap looking in surprise at the screen

Spill: Your most surprising answers from AI

  • March 14, 2024

Many lawyers contemplating making greater use of generative AI in their practices – a prospect entertained with equal parts curiosity and caution – are in the early stages of testing out just what the rewards and risks might be. So, we asked members who’ve used AI tools, what has been the most surprising result they’ve received from a request.

illustration of three partially open doors, one of which reveals a road to a cityscape

Why You Should Consider Articling with a Municipality

  • March 13, 2024
  • Sean Ovas

Figuring out a career path to pursue long term – a preferred practice area and a setting – is a common struggle for law students. For those looking to find the right fit, articling with a municipality offers not only hands-on experience in several areas of law but exposure to both barrister and solicitor work.

A group of young lawyers seated in rows listening to a woman speak from the podium

Stay Calm! Lawyers make mistakes

  • March 13, 2024
  • Nancy Bediako

"Get comfortable with losing" – and other lessons learned from legendary litigators at a uniquely revealing, riveting and reassuring evening of tales from the courtroom and mentorship through storytelling.

male lawyer standing arms crossed with large shadow of caped superhero behind him

Practice Motivation for Solo Practitioners

  • March 13, 2024
  • Rajen Akalu

Solo practitioners tend to be motivated self-starters; however, given the demands of working at personal capacity, they are often acutely aware of their limitations. By way of encouragement, Rajen Akalu offers sole practitioners a reminder of why they should be respected by the legal profession and selected by clients in the market for legal services.

Parents, Schools and Children's Rights: Session Recap

  • March 12, 2024
  • Brittany Ross-Fichtner

On February 27, 2024, the University of Ottawa’s Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory on the Rights of the Child (IRLRC) held an informative and engaging virtual program titled, “Parents, Schools and Children's Rights.”

Public Sector Lawyers, Student Forum
head-shot photo of OBA President Kelly McDermott

President’s Message: Creating, connecting and crossing paths

  • March 11, 2024
  • Kelly McDermott

As I reach the one-year milestone of my super-sized presidency, I marvel at the progress made in a mandate so meaningful to me and at the overwhelming encouragement from an OBA community of lawyers, students, staff and other legal professionals and partners who have ensured the thoughtful delivery and perpetual proliferation of our new and enhanced networks of peer support.

Court of Appeal Rejects All Sums Approach to Long-Tail Claims

  • March 06, 2024
  • Murray Stieber and Avi Sharabi

So-called “long-tail claims”, i.e. claims where the alleged damage spans a number of years, pose various coverage challenges for insurers and policyholders. On February 27, 2024, the Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision in Loblaw Companies Limited v. Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada, 2024 ONCA 145 (CanLII) (“Loblaw”), where it tried to bring some clarity to some of the material coverage issues that arise with these types of claims.

Insurance Law, Student Forum
head-shot photo of Robin Seligman

Breaking Barriers: Celebrating International Women's Day

  • March 05, 2024
  • Aqsa Nadeem, Newsletter Editor, OBA Citizenship & Immigration Law Section

In honour of International Women's Day, we highlight the inspiring journey of Ms. Robin Seligman. From overcoming barriers to advocating for her clients, she shares her experiences and triumphs throughout the year. This article celebrates her resilience, dedication, and contribution to the field of law while shining a spotlight on the importance of supporting and empowering women in legal practice.

Citizenship and Immigration Law, Student Forum
head-shot photo of author Mitchell Rose

Wrongful Dismissal & ADR: 2023 Caselaw in Review

  • March 05, 2024
  • Mitchell Rose, LL.B., C. Med, Q. Arb

Court backlogs worsened in 2023 thereby significantly delaying wrongful dismissal actions. While ADR processes help to reduce backlogs, Ontario does not have province-wide mandatory mediation, and most arbitration is a result of contractual termination clauses that can be challenged. One way to encourage voluntary mediation is for courts to penalize parties for failure to participate. So, how did our Courts fare in 2023 in promoting mediation and arbitration in wrongful dismissal matters?

Labour and Employment Law, Student Forum